It was the beginning of the year when Cul came to Varica city. Unlike his fellow provincial kings he didn't enter the city to big fan fare though many came out to see what the so-called rogue king looked like. Impressive was certainly a word thrown around, as Cul towered over all his fellow Varicans. His clothing spoke of wealth and power as is to be expected of one of his stature. Philas, his wise adviser, traveled along beside him but seemed to disappear in Cul's shadow. This was not the case of Cul's escort, the infamous Death-heads. Fifty strong, armed and armoured in the very best, they were an imposing sight marching in front and behind their master. Each one wore a haecomus skull as a mask to inspire fear in their enemies. Many people whispered in slight distaste at this practice, however none could deny that it was intimidating.
King Cul Funkard's interview with the Emperor of Varica was short. Cul bowed down to Hroth V and declared his allegiance to Hroth and to Varica. A few pleasantries were traded and then Cul marched out of the palace. His stay in the capital was not short however, as he quickly purchased a villa of excellent taste and immediately set to work showing the high and mighty of Varica city what a good time was.
In the south, Cul's extravagant parties were legend, and now that legend was brought to Varica in force. Every night saw large parties full of drink, food and song. Cul spared no expense to please his guests and within the week, he was the talk of the town. Coming out to his nightly parties was considered the popular thing to do for all the nobles and high caste merchants. Indeed the nights became so wild that a merchant from a neighboring villa complained that he never got any sleep. Cul solved this by buying his villa from him for an amazing amount of wealth. With an even greater space Cul was able to bring more to his parties and the nights became even more wild.
This by no means was the only thing that Cul did during his time in Varica. During the day he invited lords and thanes from all over the empire to his villa to discuss events of the Empire. Cul didn't mess about with whispered intrigues either, instead he spoke loud and proud of his opinion. During these times Philas would hover over his shoulder and put in a quiet word of wisdom. Thus it was that Cul put his stamp on high court politics.
One afternoon, Cul was entertaining some of the Hrothnani nobility. Cul was in good form, making his points with sweeping gestures of his massive arms. "Varica is in trouble now. The court is in chaos as all the factions are pressing in for power. Our good Emperor is not yet of an age to control this maelstrom of intrigue. What is needed right now is not more factional fighting but strong leadership."
"And what would you propose King Funkard?" asked one prominent lord.
"A strong regent, one who can be trusted to teach the Emperor how to control his empire and not allow it to fall into civil war!" Cul replied without hesitation. "It must be someone who is Hrothnani to ensure that the Emperor is not influenced by those who aren't interested in the Empire as a whole but only their piece of the Empire. And certainly it must not be Vencii or Callista. The Empire has had enough of those two!" The assembled nobles glanced at each other in dismay at this statement, some of them openly in one of those camps. Cul kept rolling on without care. "Much of the problems of recent years can be laid at the doorstep of Hroth IV's wives! They intrigue and fight like a couple of fat peasants arguing over some stale piece of bread! Must Hroth IV's legacy, all that he fought for, be brought down because his wives were fighting over who got to control Hroth V? NO! They both must retire from public life and allow sanity to return to the court of Varica."
A younger man spoke up in protest from the other side of the table. "But Callista is the Imperial mother she..."
"What does it matter if she is?" Cul interrupted. "Shouldn't the Empire be lead by someone who cares for the whole of it? Someone who can teach our young Emperor how to rule with strength and steadfast courage. I tell you this... if Callista is allowed to return to Varica and worse become the regent, then we shall have a puppet on the throne and our orders will not come from Varica, they will come from Xanfa!" This last was said with great disgust.
"So who do you think should be the regent?" the same lord from before asked, doing his best to keep his opinion on Cul's rant to himself.
Cul leaned forward, cupping his chin on his hands, his face taking on a thoughtful expression. "Like I said, it would have to be someone of strength, someone who didn't get bogged down in the intrigues of court... someone..."
At this point Philas leaned forward and quietly but clearly said, "What about Lord Hroak, your highness?"
Cul thought for a moment before smiling. "Yes, General Hroak would be an excellent regent. He is a man of great character and martial prowess. Surely there can be no better?" Once again the assembled nobles muttered to each other but the tone of the meeting had changed. It was obvious that Cul's message was beginning to get through.
And thus it was that throughout most of the year Cul would spend his time partying and spreading the word on what course the Empire should take from here. Late in the harvest time, however, a message was brought to him from back home that had him rushing off from Varica city. He did not say what it was that required his attention.
King Cul Funkard's interview with the Emperor of Varica was short. Cul bowed down to Hroth V and declared his allegiance to Hroth and to Varica. A few pleasantries were traded and then Cul marched out of the palace. His stay in the capital was not short however, as he quickly purchased a villa of excellent taste and immediately set to work showing the high and mighty of Varica city what a good time was.
In the south, Cul's extravagant parties were legend, and now that legend was brought to Varica in force. Every night saw large parties full of drink, food and song. Cul spared no expense to please his guests and within the week, he was the talk of the town. Coming out to his nightly parties was considered the popular thing to do for all the nobles and high caste merchants. Indeed the nights became so wild that a merchant from a neighboring villa complained that he never got any sleep. Cul solved this by buying his villa from him for an amazing amount of wealth. With an even greater space Cul was able to bring more to his parties and the nights became even more wild.
This by no means was the only thing that Cul did during his time in Varica. During the day he invited lords and thanes from all over the empire to his villa to discuss events of the Empire. Cul didn't mess about with whispered intrigues either, instead he spoke loud and proud of his opinion. During these times Philas would hover over his shoulder and put in a quiet word of wisdom. Thus it was that Cul put his stamp on high court politics.
One afternoon, Cul was entertaining some of the Hrothnani nobility. Cul was in good form, making his points with sweeping gestures of his massive arms. "Varica is in trouble now. The court is in chaos as all the factions are pressing in for power. Our good Emperor is not yet of an age to control this maelstrom of intrigue. What is needed right now is not more factional fighting but strong leadership."
"And what would you propose King Funkard?" asked one prominent lord.
"A strong regent, one who can be trusted to teach the Emperor how to control his empire and not allow it to fall into civil war!" Cul replied without hesitation. "It must be someone who is Hrothnani to ensure that the Emperor is not influenced by those who aren't interested in the Empire as a whole but only their piece of the Empire. And certainly it must not be Vencii or Callista. The Empire has had enough of those two!" The assembled nobles glanced at each other in dismay at this statement, some of them openly in one of those camps. Cul kept rolling on without care. "Much of the problems of recent years can be laid at the doorstep of Hroth IV's wives! They intrigue and fight like a couple of fat peasants arguing over some stale piece of bread! Must Hroth IV's legacy, all that he fought for, be brought down because his wives were fighting over who got to control Hroth V? NO! They both must retire from public life and allow sanity to return to the court of Varica."
A younger man spoke up in protest from the other side of the table. "But Callista is the Imperial mother she..."
"What does it matter if she is?" Cul interrupted. "Shouldn't the Empire be lead by someone who cares for the whole of it? Someone who can teach our young Emperor how to rule with strength and steadfast courage. I tell you this... if Callista is allowed to return to Varica and worse become the regent, then we shall have a puppet on the throne and our orders will not come from Varica, they will come from Xanfa!" This last was said with great disgust.
"So who do you think should be the regent?" the same lord from before asked, doing his best to keep his opinion on Cul's rant to himself.
Cul leaned forward, cupping his chin on his hands, his face taking on a thoughtful expression. "Like I said, it would have to be someone of strength, someone who didn't get bogged down in the intrigues of court... someone..."
At this point Philas leaned forward and quietly but clearly said, "What about Lord Hroak, your highness?"
Cul thought for a moment before smiling. "Yes, General Hroak would be an excellent regent. He is a man of great character and martial prowess. Surely there can be no better?" Once again the assembled nobles muttered to each other but the tone of the meeting had changed. It was obvious that Cul's message was beginning to get through.
And thus it was that throughout most of the year Cul would spend his time partying and spreading the word on what course the Empire should take from here. Late in the harvest time, however, a message was brought to him from back home that had him rushing off from Varica city. He did not say what it was that required his attention.